Runner holder

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a runner holder divided into a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a first end of the runner holder and the second part comprising a second end of the runner holder, opposite the first end, the first part having a projection inserted into an inlet of the second part, which projection can slide into the entrance such that the length of the runner holder can be adjusted. The runner holder further comprises at least one pressure means situated at the first end and/or the second end.

The present invention relates to supports for formworks. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to horizontal formwork beamssupported on vertical struts, which are habitually known asrunner-holder beams, main beams, primary beams or simply runnerholder(s).

At present, different types of beams are known for the formation offormworks. However, a problem with the standard beams for formworksupports consists in the fact that they have a fixed and determinedlength. On many occasions, the length of the aforementioned beams doesnot coincide exactly with the required length between formworks. In viewof this possibility, the operators usually cut other beams to join themto said standard beams, and ensure that support beams from wall to wallexist, without the existence of breaks or spaces between the formworkbeams and the formwork itself. Another possibility consists ofpositioning the beams not consecutively, but adjacent to one another,such that their course overlaps. However, this increases the number ofstruts necessary to support the runner holders, and consequentlydecreases the space between struts, thus making the passage of theoperators difficult or even preventing it.

An object of the present invention is to disclose a novel runner holderwhich provides a solution to the aforementioned problems.

For this purpose, the present invention discloses a runner holderaccording to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention arecontained in the dependent claims.

The present invention discloses a runner holder which is divided into afirst portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first endof the runner holder and the second portion having a second end of therunner holder, opposite the first end, the first portion having aprojection which is inserted in a recess of the second portion, theprojection being able to slide inside the recess. This sliding allowsthe length of the runner holder to be adjustable. In addition, theinvention comprises a pressure means which is situated at the firstand/or the second end.

The beam with a variable length according to the present invention hasthe advantage that the operator does not have to cut other beams to jointhem to the standard beam in order thus to obtain the particular lengthrequired. According to another aspect of the present invention, thetelescopic beam or adjustable runner holder has pressure means at oneend at least, and preferably at both ends. By this means, the runnerholder can be adjusted in a fixed manner between two verticalstructures, such as walls. A pressure means can be a resilient anddeformable element which can store and discharge energy withoutundergoing permanent deformations when the (compression) forces ortension (pressure) to which said pressure means is subjected cease. Thepressure means is designed to have its length reduced substantially whensaid pressure means is subjected to an axial (compression) force whenthe adjustable runner holder is put into the operating position, i.e.when said pressure means is situated between one wall and another orbetween one roof and another. A pressure means can be constituted by abevelled cut at the ends of the runner holder which cut co-operates witha wedge in establishing the pressure on the horizontal structure orwall.

The adjustable runner holder according to the invention which haspressure means is particularly advantageous in monolithic structures. Amonolithic structure is a type of structure in which a building orstructure is built in a single block. The monolithic system permits ahigh speed of execution and construction assembly, with reduction of theworkforce since the major construction costs are minimised as a resultof the short execution times. Monolithic structures are habituallycharacterised by having small spans, generally up to 3 m. Inarchitecture, engineering and building, the word span is generally usedto designate the distance in horizontal projection which exists betweenthe supports of a beam.

The present invention also has the advantage compared with standardbeams that it can be reused in different monolithic designs, i.e. it canbe used in different projects which have a different design withvariations of the dimensions. The fact of having a range of values oflength and not a single fixed and determined length means that it can beused in numerous projects and designs of monolithic structure.

A strut can be defined as a structural element with a transverse crosssection which is very small compared with its adjustable height, whichsupports a horizontal formwork structure provisionally, habitually bymeans of the runner-holder beams.

In addition, the adjustable runner holder according to the presentinvention is particularly advantageous in monolithic structures since itmakes it possible to use two struts in length per beam instead of thethree struts used by the standard system, with the third correspondingto the portion of overlapping between runner holders with a fixedlength. Thus, the present invention has the capacity to reduce thenumber of struts used in monolithic structures. The fact of using onlytwo struts is especially advantageous since monolithic structures arehabitually small, although it is true that the range of sizes can varyconsiderably. Typically, the length between walls (the span) is lessthan 3 m. This means that the space in the interior thereof is small,and consequently the space which the operators have to construct andassemble the building or structure is very limited. In addition, theoperators have to carry out their work avoiding obstacles such as thedifferent construction elements used, such as, for example, struts,boards, runner holders, tripods, etc., which make their work difficult.The fact of using the adjustable runner holder according to the presentinvention allows the operators to carry out their working activityinside a monolithic structure in better conditions.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure means comprises anoblique cut provided in the first and/or in the second end of the runnerholder, in order to interpose a wedge between said oblique cut in theend of the runner holder and a vertical structure or wall. The wedgemakes it possible to secure the adjustable runner holder easily, and inthe same way remove said wedge when the formwork phase is finished andthe runner holder is not required.

Preferably, the oblique cut of the second end of the adjustable runnerholder has the same cutting angle as the pressure means, such that it issuitable for interposing a pressure means in the form of a wedgesituated between the telescopic beam and a wall or a roof.

More preferably, said oblique cut forms an angle of between 85° and 45°with the longitudinal axis of the runner holder. More preferably, theoblique cut forms an angle of 80° with the longitudinal axis of therunner holder.

The pressure means could also comprise a resilient part in the form of aresilient stopper which is placed in the first end, in the second end,or in both, in a fixed manner or with a thread system. A threaded footcould also be used. The thread makes it possible to screw the foot sothat said foot presses against the vertical structure or wall.

According to another aspect, the projection of the first portion hasalignment of orifices, and the second portion has at least oneconjugated orifice, such that it is possible to insert a stud through anorifice of the alignment of orifices of the first portion and throughthe conjugated orifice, for the purpose of fixing the position of theprojection in the recess.

Preferably, the cross sections of the first portion and the secondportion are equal. More preferably, the first portion and the secondportion have a profile with a transverse cross section in the form of a“T”.

Thus, the present invention makes it possible to control the length ofthe beam within a range of values. The securing of the studs through theplurality of orifices is controlled discontinuously, whereas thepressure means makes it possible to regulate the length according to thepresent invention continuously. The discontinuous advance is controlledaccording to the location of the stud situated through an orifice of thealignment of orifices of the first portion . . . an orifice of thesecond portion. The continuous advance is controlled by means of thepressure means, which is preferably in the form of a wedge. Morespecifically, the continuous advance is controlled by means of thematerial and geometry thereof, i.e. the modulus of elasticity and theinclination of the wedge (the oblique cutting angle of the second end).The first portion and the second portion are coupled to one anothertelescopically. This coupling allows the first portion to be displacedin the recess of the second portion. Said displacement allows at leastone orifice of the second portion to be aligned with at least oneorifice of the plurality of orifices of the first portion. As a resultof said alignment, the stud can pass through the aligned orifices, thuspermitting securing between the first portion and the second portion,also known as telescopic coupling.

For better understanding, by way of non-limiting explanation, drawingsof an embodiment of the adjustable runner holder which is the subject ofthe present invention are appended.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of an adjustablerunner holder according to the present invention placed between twowalls.

FIG. 2 corresponds to another view in perspective different from theembodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another view in perspective of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the adjustable runner holder embodimentshown in the previous figures.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of the embodiment in FIG. 3, inwhich the interior elements can be seen.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section of the embodiment in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 1 to 3 show schematically an application of the present invention.In FIGS. 1 to 3, for reasons of clarity, the struts which would supportthe runner holder 1 are not shown. FIGS. 4 and 5 show in more detail theadjustable runner holder 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The adjustable runner holder 1 has an exterior profile which is divided,such that a first portion 60 and a second portion 20 are defined.Preferably, the length of both the first and the second portion must besufficient to be able to receive a head of the strut which is designedto support said portion.

The first portion 60 has a projection 10 which is inserted in a recessin the second portion 20. The projection 10 has a plurality of orifices40 disposed in an aligned manner. The second portion 20 comprises atleast one orifice 50, the location and dimensions of which areconjugated with the plurality of orifices 40 of the projection 10, suchthat an orifice 50 of the second portion 20 and an orifice of theprojection of the first portion 10 can be aligned when the projection 10is inserted in the second portion 20.

The orifices 40 and 50 are designed such that they permit the passage ofa stud (not shown), for the purpose of fixing the relative position ofthe first portion 10 and the second portion 20. The stud is insertedsimultaneously in an orifice 50 of the second portion 20, and in anorifice of the alignment of orifices 40 of the projection 10, thusdetermining the total length of the adjustable runner holder 1. In orderto vary the total length of the adjustable runner holder 1, the user oroperator firstly removes the stud by sliding said stud through a set oforifices of the plurality of orifices 40 and 50, and once the stud hasbeen withdrawn, the first portion 60 is not secured (fixed), with theresult that said first portion can slide in the interior of the secondportion 20 in order to form a positive or negative extension of theadjustable runner holder 1, i.e. increasing or decreasing the totallength of the adjustable runner holder 1. Finally, the user or operatorinserts the stud once more through a new set of orifices of theplurality of orifices 40 and 50, thus obtaining a new securingconfiguration between the first portion 10 and the second portion 20.

In addition, the second portion 20 has a second end 30 of the adjustablerunner holder 1 with a pressure means 70, which in this case is in theform of an oblique cut which makes it possible to interpose an elementin the form of a wedge.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the wedge 2 is interposed between the adjustable runnerholder 1 and a wall 4. Said wall 4 can be any other vertical structure,or structure with a vertical portion. In particular, the wedge 2 isinterposed thanks to the oblique cut 30 of the second end of theadjustable runner holder 1. The pressure element provides a doubleadvantage: firstly, it provides the adjustable runner holder 1 with thecapacity to have an increase or decrease of continuous length, i.e. thecapacity to have continuous, and not discontinuous, advance, such asthat which the securing of the stud with the plurality of orifices 40and 50 has. Secondly, the pressure means 2 facilitates the dismantlingof the adjustable runner holder 1 when its use is not required.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a runner holder wherein elementswhich are the same as, or similar to, those previously indicated areidentified with identical reference numerals, and will therefore not bedescribed in depth. A difference of the embodiment in FIG. 6 comparedwith that in FIGS. 1 to 5 is that, in this case, the pressure meansconsists of a resilient part 70 situated at the free end of the secondportion 70. The resilient part 70 is made for example of an elastomermaterial such as, for example, rubber, and can apply pressure to a wallby compression, sustaining resilient deformation, and thus regulatingthe length of the runner holder. Also, the combination of thediscontinuous control by means of securing of the first portion 10 andthe second portion 20, and the continuous control by means of theresilient part 70, makes it possible to regulate the length of therunner holder.

Although the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, these should not be considered to limit the invention,which will be defined by the broadest interpretation of the followingclaims.

1. A runner holder comprising: a first portion, a second portion, and atleast one pressure means which is situated at the first and/or thesecond end, wherein the first portion has a first end of the runnerholder and the second portion has a second end of the runner holder,opposite the first end, the first portion has a projection which isinserted in a recess of the second portion, the projection being able toslide inside the recess, such that the length of the runner holder isadjustable.
 2. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein thepressure means comprises an oblique cut provided in the first and/or inthe second end of the runner holder, in order to interpose a wedgebetween said oblique cut in the end of the runner holder and a verticalstructure or wall.
 3. The runner holder according to claim 1, whereinthe oblique cut forms an angle of between 85° and 45° with thelongitudinal axis of the runner holder.
 4. The runner holder accordingto claim 1, wherein the oblique cut forms an angle of 80° with thelongitudinal axis of the runner holder.
 5. The runner holder accordingto claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises a part in the form of aresilient stopper which is placed in the end by means of pressure, orwith a thread system.
 6. The runner holder according to claim 1, whereinthe projection of the first portion has an alignment of orifices, andthe second portion has at least one conjugated orifice, such that it ispossible to insert a stud through an orifice of the alignment oforifices of the first portion and through the conjugated orifice, forthe purpose of fixing the position of the projection in the recess. 7.The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion andthe second portion have the same type of exterior profile.
 8. The runnerholder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the secondportion have a profile with a transverse cross section in the form of a“T”.
 9. The runner holder according to claim 7, wherein the exteriorprofile is made of a metal material.
 10. The runner holder according toclaim 1, wherein both the first and the second end comprise a pressuremeans.
 11. The runner holder according to claim 8, wherein the exteriorprofile is made of a metal material.